Booksquare

This past weekend, we engaged in the most painful of tasks (no, not trying to fit into our jeans after overindulging)…the semi-annual book purge. We have spent years trying to add more elasticity to the walls so they’ll expand as more stuff enters the house. As it turns out, wood is not much on expanding on command, and plaster simply scoffs at the idea of working any harder than it has to. So it is that the books must go — we believe there is real science to be done in determining how we can be on a book diet (supposedly consuming that which we already possess) yet continue to increase the number of volumes in the house.

Luckily for the husband, our books were destined for the Salvation Army. Had we lived in Baltimore, we wouldn’t have been able to resist dropping off bags of books…and somehow leaving with just as many. Hmm, perhaps this is why the diet isn’t working. Lack of self control.

We are gearing up for our annual literary donation push, and find Baltimore’s Book Thing to be a perfect warm-up. Think of the joy — give a book, give a little money…do your part to ensure that the books of the world find good homes.

• The Give-and-Take At the Book Thing: Exchange Is a Revolving Door for Readers